This Is TASTE 620: Hailee Catalano Shares Her Hearts For Chicago, Red Sauce Classics, The Jersey Shore, and Rachael Ray
Jul 9, 2025
Hailee Catalano, a trained chef and cookbook author known for her engaging home cooking content, shares her journey from Chicago's Italian-American roots to culinary innovation. She discusses the artistic balance of simplicity and creativity in food, particularly how social media influences recipe development. David Nayfeld, co-owner of Che Fico, reflects on how cooking for his daughter inspired his cookbook. Their heartfelt conversations explore familial connections through food, the joy of creating content, and innovative culinary approaches, making for an engaging dialogue.
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Early Culinary Passion
- Hailee Catalano knew she wanted to be a chef from age 12, inspired by her family's cooking and restaurant curiosity.
- She was mesmerized by how restaurants could serve complex dishes quickly, sparking her passion early on.
From Coffee to Viral Pasta
- Hailee Catalano started TikTok with coffee videos to ease into content creation before sharing cooking.
- Her pasta video unexpectedly went viral, rapidly growing her following and launching her food career on social media.
Serve Salads on Platters
- Serve antipasto salads on a platter rather than tossed in a bowl to prevent wilting.
- This presentation keeps flavors balanced and vegetables crisp, improving texture and appearance.